What distinguishes a basic chatbot from an AI assistant?

A basic chatbot follows a fixed, pre-programmed script. If a customer asks a question that's off-script, it can't answer it. An AI assistant, powered by natural language processing, understands the customer's intent. It can answer complex questions, track topic changes in the conversation, and improve over time. It's a bit like going from a simple FAQ page to a real-life chat with a salesperson.